Apparatus for grading granular material



June 3, 1930. o, H. HANSEN 1,761,788

APPARATUS FOR GRADING GRANULAR MATERIAL Filed Nov. 17. 192e s sheets-sheet 1f l? 22 ai IINIII'IIl ll 38 Hg. l.

June 3, 1930. o. H. HANSEN APPAR1'US FOR GRDING GRANULAR MATERIAL Filed Nov. 17. '192s 5 sheets-sheet 2 June 3, 1930. 0, H HANSEN 1,761,788

APPARATUS Fon GRADING GRANULAR MATERIAL Filed Nov. l'T. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 v i m usw which the I i y density of the brine,

. weight and of different quality.

y the art of Patented .June 3, 1930 PATENT OFFICE? 1 *UNITED STATE-s;

OSWALD` H. HANSEN, OF CEDARVBURG, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR-TO HANSEN CANNING MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF CEDARBURG, WISCONSIN ,"A CORPORATION OF WIB- CONSIN APPARATUS FOR GRADING GRANULAR MATERIAL Application led November 17, 1926. Serial No. 148,814.

This invention relates to improvements in grading granular material, and re'- lates more specifically to an improved apparatus for separating granules ot' material having different specific gravity, from a mass in granules are intermingled.

An obj ect of the invention is to provide simple, compactand eiicient apparatus for automatically exploiting the process of effectively grading granules of material such as green peas, as to quality.

Laboratory experiments have demonstrated that green peas may be accurately graded as to quality, by depositing batches thereof in Y brine baths pf predetermined density and of absolute quiescence. Depending upon the certain grades of peas will float upo1i`the brine, While the heavier grades will settle, it bein essentialhowever, that the liquid in the bath ie maintained without appreciable agitation.l If the quiescent condition of the liquid is disturbed, the sep- .aration is not accuratel and the separated grades are not uniform. l

It is van object of the present invention to provide an apparatus involving the foregoing principle, of treating granular material such as' eas or berries, in ,successive li uid baths or Easins of different 'density in or er tol separate grades of yprogressively increasing In accordance with the improvement, the material is preferably treated in` successive batches and the separated granules are removed together with the surrounding liquid, in order to avoid undesirable agitation and consequent mixing ofthe separated grades during removal thereof from the treating basins or pockets. The invention also contemplates various improvements in the construction and operation of apparatus forenabling treatment of vsuccesf sive batches of granularmate'rial under conof' illustration, A

superimposed treating pockets which arev ditions of such quiescence as will produce efficient separation or grading; While the apparatus specifically disclosed herein by Way comprises several series of slowly movable abouta'central axis inorder to receive and to discharge batches of the material in successsion and at predetermined inparent that the pockets may be maintained at-rest and the material supply and discharge means together with the valve actuating cams may be advanced about the centrall axis in order to accomplish analagous results, without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.`

A clear conception of one embodimentlof apparatus which is capable of commercially exploiting the process, may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and form- 1n re similar parts in the various views.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic central vertical section through an improved pea, grader v adapted to automatically separate green peas or the like as to quality.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic top View of the improved grader shown in Fig. l1, the brine U a part of this specification in which like ierence characters designate the same or proportioning (and supply mechanisms having been omitted.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic developmentof the treating pockets of the grader shown in Figs. 1 and 2. v

Fig. 4 is an enlarged diagrammatic central vertical section through one of the automatic brine proportioning mechanisms, this mechanism alone constituting no part of the resent improvement and comprising the su 'ect of copending application Ser. N o. 22,731, led

April 13, 1925;

Thel` specific embodiment ofthe invention l i illustrated in the drawings, comprises in general three superim osed annular-,series .of separating pockets slmultaneously revolvable about a central vertical axis, means for introducing brine 'and peas-to the successive pockets of each series, means for removing the separated grades of peas from the successive pockets of ,eachl series, and mechanism for I.

moving the pockets and for actuating the material lnt-roducin Yand removing means.

The pockets-o the upper series are rotatably supported upon the central stationary shaft 15 bymeans of a spider, and are surrounded'by a ring member 30 provided with external gear teeth 34. `Each of the upper pockets is divided into top and bottom cham- Y bers 3, 4 respectivel lwhich may befsegregated from each ot er during portions of` in an obvious manner, during the same period.

each revolution of the series, designated as periods A and C, by means of a radially movable slide or valve 22. The upper ends of the top chambers-3 are constantly open, and the lower end of each bottom chamber 4 is adapt- Aed to, be sealed by means of a radially movable lslide or valve;18 during predetermined portions of each revolution of the series designated as periods A, B and E. Each' of v the bottom chambers 4is also provided with a vent 47 associated with the uppermost'portion thereof and preferablyl extending upwardly to the .-top of the adjoining chamber 3, the vents 47 'being only partially disclosed in Fig-3 in order to avoid confusion.

The pockets of the intermediate series Q are also rotatably supported upon the-shaft 15 by v.means of a by a ring member 31 having external .gear teeth 34. Each of the intermediate pockets is divided into top and bottom chambers 5, 6 respectively which may be segregated from each other during periods A and C of each revolution, by vmeans of aradiallymovable slide or valve 23.v The upperfends of the top chambers 5 are constantly o en, and the lower end of each bottom cham er 6 is adapted to be sealed by means of a radially movable slide or valve 19 during periods A, Band E of each revolution. Each of the bottom chambers 6 is also provided with a vent 47 associatedwith the uppermostl portion thereof and referably extendin upwardly tothe top o theadjoining cham er 5., these vents 47 likewise being only partially disclosed in order to avoid confusiom e The pockets of the lower series are likewise rotata'b y supported upon the shaft 15 `by means of a spider, and are surrounded by a ring member 32 havin external ear teeth 34.

. Each of the lower poc ets is divided into top 20 during and bottom chambers 7, 8 respx -45' may be' segregated from eac ctively which other during periods A and C of each revolution, by means of'a radially movable slide or valve 24. The upper ends of the top chambers l7 are likewise constantly o en, and the lower `end of each bottom cham er 8 is adapted to be 'sealed by means of a :radially movable slide orl valve riods A, B and E of each revolution. Eac of the bottom chambers 8 is also provided with a vent 47 associated with the uppermost portion thereof and preferably extending upwardly to the top of the ad]oin ing chamber 7, these vents 47 also being only partially shown inl order to avoid confusion. The successive top chambers 3 of the up r pocket series are su plied with graph ar urmg a sp'ondin successive bottom chambers 4 are suppl e a liquid or weak brine 'solution 'from a supply pipe through a vcommon pipe spider, and are surroundeddrive shaft -16 and meshin I teeth 34. The drive shaft 16 1s rotatable from 37 and individual radial supply pipes communicable with the pipe 37 through a port 50 v tank 46 through a common supply pipe 48 and individual radial'pipes 39 as above described. The successive top chambers7 of the lower pocket series Iare again supplied with settled granules from the intermediate series 'after separation thereof by a screen 29by means of aspout 51 during a similar period A; and the corresponding'successive bottom chambers 8 are supplied with strong brine solution from a similar independent supply tank 46 through a common supply pipe 38 and individual radial pipes 28 as previously described.v The brine solutions separated from the granules by the screens 29, are deliveredfrom the separators to pipes 27 from which the liquid is returned to its respective supply tank 46 by means 'ofa pump 25. 1

cally preparing each brine solution, is shown in Fig. 4, and comprises a brine tank'40, 'a water tank 41, a proportioning valve 42, a v

float 43, a valve actuator connecting the float 43 withthe proportioning valve 42, and a mixingba'sin 45 communicating with the conditioned supply tank 46. The arrangement is such. that for a predetermined adjustment of the float 43, the proportioning valve`42 will alwaysbe adjusted'to admit either brine orwater in proper roportions to the basin 45 and will thus maintain the solution in the tank 46 at predetermined density.,

The stationarym'ain frame 21 besides providing a support for the stationary central shaft 15, also supports the stationary valve actuators 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. The actuators A9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14 are provided with cam grooves 36 cooperating with rollers 35 which series of pockets are simultaneously rotatable by means of pinions 33 secured to a common with the gear a power shaft 17 through bevel gearing in an obvious manner.l c 4 l During normal operation of the improved grader in order to exploit they process, the three annular series of superimposed kets are s imultaneouslly revolved atA a re atively slow rate of spee by the application of ro tary'motion tothe shaft 16.-, As the successive Jpockets 'of the upper series pass beneath the suppl hopperl 2, the valves 18 22 are closed an -the top-chambersare iiliod with f are connected to the valves 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, v 24 by means of connectors 49. yThe three4 a chute 52 to a bin The fioats thus removed includethistle buds' and lighter granules, and ordinarily constitute waste material.

the floats from the'l -removed in the same maner,

taneously throu h This lling of the chambers occurs during the period A. After the chambers 3, 4 have been thus supplied with granularv material and liquid, the cam groove 36 inthe actuator 12 become effective lto withdraw the valves 22 ofthe successive pockets and to retain these valves open during the period B. During this perlod B, the heavier granules settle to the filled with lweak brine solution bottomof the bottom chamber 4 while the liquid rises into the top chamber 3 of the corresponding pocket and sustain the floats in this latter chamber. vDuring this settling period, the liquid is in a state of absolute quiescence, and the granules .are effectively separated. After the lseparating period B has been concluded, thesuccessive pockets of the upper series enter the period C when the medial valves 22 are automatically closed and the lower valves 18 are simultaneously opened by the cam grooves 36 in the respective valve actuators 12, 9. settled granules together with the surrounding liquid, are dropped from the. bottom chambers 4 upon the separating screen 29,

the liquid passing through the screen to the return pipe 27, andthe removed granules being delivered 1nto the top chambers 5. ofthe intermediate pocket series. After the bottom chambers 4.have been thus emptied, the successive pockets enter which the medial valves 22 are opened an the lower valves 18 remain opened, thereby 'permitting the ,fioats' together with the surrounding liquid to drop through the adjoining bottom pockets4 upon similar -separating screens 29. These latter screens permit the v liquid to pass therethrough to a return pipe 27 and discharge the separated fioats through at the side of the machine.

During the succeeding period E, the valves 18, 22 are properly positioned preparatory to entry to the period A of a succeeding cycle.- i

The settled granules delivered to thepock; ets of the intermediate series pass through a similar cycle of periods being treated by means of a medium brine solution to remove settled granules. 'The fioats thus removed in the intermediate se.-

ries, constitute a final 4grade of highest or"4 fi-rst qualit automatica the pockets andthe settled granules are y delivered to 'and treated in of the lower series to again separate the same into two additional vand dis'f,

tinctive grades,

the floats resultingLfrom this final treatment constituting the second quality and the-settlings constituting the thirdy quality. By further treating the third quality material, other distinctive ades 'may be 1t being necesthepipes 37, 26 andthe port 50.

During this period C, thev the period D during sary however to utilize brine solutions of increasing vdensity during further treatment. A

It will t-hus be noted, that the successive grades are vautomatically removed from the mixture and that each grade is of absolutely uniform quality throughout.' It is important that the advancement of the pockets be uniform and that the movement be relatively slow in order to maintain the desired quiescent condition of the basins. It is also desirable to remove the separated granules together with the surrounding liquid in order to prevent Vsubsequent mixing of the grades. The brine proportioning mechanism maintains the admitted liquid at uniform density -thereby also insuring uniformity in the grades.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention -to the exact steps of the rocess or to the details of construction of) the apparatus herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Let-v mixed granules of different specific gravity to the successive pockets, means for dividing the successive pockets upper and lower chambers to segregate the settled granules from the floats, and means for removing the separated materials from he Successive pockets together with the 1qu1 v 2. In combination, means forming an annular series of pockets having a non-horizontal axis of annularity, means'for slowly revolving said series about said axis of annularity, means for introducing granular material and li uid to said pockets in succession, means for ividing the successive pockets while inv motion into upper and lower chambers to segre ate the settled granules from the floats, an means for removing the separated materials from the pockets.

3. In combination, means forming a series .of pockets, means for dividing each of said pockets into segregated chambers, means for permitting escape of air from the lower of said chambers, to the lower of 'said chambers in succession and from the lower of said chambers past said dividing means into the upper of said chambers,`and means for introducing anu'- larmaterial into said liquid through the upper of said chambers.

4. In combination, 4means forming upper while in motion into,

means for admitting4 liquid and lower superimposed annular series of v said upper series td separate the floats from the`heavier granules, ,and means for subsepoc quently I introducing the -settled heavier granules and a stronger brine solution toi the successive pocketsof said lower series to' further separate'the granules into grades of different gravity.

5. In combination, means forming upper f granular 'material into grades, means for and lower superimposed annular series o pockets, means for simultaneously revolving said series about` anaxis, means for introducing liquids of different density to the pockets of the several series, and means for passing granular material through the liquid filled pockets in succession. A

6. In combination, means forming an annular series of independent pockets, means vfor revolving said pockets about an axis,

l means for introducing granular material into of the successive pockets of sai correspondingends of the successive pockets p of said series from above, means for iiitr0-` ducing liquid into the successive pockets of said series from below to separate said granular material into grades, and means for subsequently removing the separated grades of ,said granular material from the opposite corresponding ends of said'pockets.l y

7. In combination, means forming-an annular series of\ independent pockets, means` for revolving said pockets about an axis, meansv for introducin granular-material into corres o'nding en' s of thesuccessive pockets of sai series froigabove yand while said pockets' are in motion, means for introducing li uid into the successive pockets of said series w .ile in motion to separate said granular material into grades, and means for subsequently removing the liquid and the separated grades of said granular material from the opposite corresponding ends of said pockets while in motion. 4 A c 8. In combination, means forming an anvnular series of independent ockets, means for revolving said pockets a out an axis, a common supply for introducing equal batches offgranular material into corresponding ends series from above, a common source of lsupply for introdiicing liquid into the successive pocketsof said series to separate said granular material into grades, and means for subsequently ref moving the separated grades of said granular material from the opposite corresponding ends of said pockets at a common point.

- 9. In combination, means forming a series of pockets, means for introducing granular material and liquid into iipperand lower end portions'respectively. of successive pockets of said series, means for moving ,said pockets wliile said granular material and liquidare confined therein to permit gravity separation terill through the lower end portion ofeach et. 10. In combination, -means lforming a pocket movable about an axis, means for introducing granular materialy to said pocket through one end thereof while said pocket is in motion, means for subsequently admitting liquid to said pocket to separate said l segregating said pocket into separated chambers, and means for subsequentl emovin f the several grades in succession' om one o said chambers through theopposite end of..

troducing granular material to said pocket through one end thereof, means foradmitting liquid to said pocket through the opl osite end thereof to separate said granular material into grades, means for segregating said pocket into separated chambers, and means for subsequently removing the several grades in succession from one of said chamers through said opposite end. 12. In combination, means forming. a series of pockets having u per and lower ends movable in superimpose planes, means for admitting liquid to the successive pockets of said series, means for introducing `mixed f anules of ldifferent specific gravity into t e upper ends of the successive pockets, means for dividing the successive ,fpockets into upper and lower chambers while in motion, and means for removing said liquid and granules from said pockets through the lower ends thereof. y 13. In combination, means forming an annular series of pockets having. upper and lower open ends movable in superi'm sed parallel planes, means for admitting iquid to said pockets in succession, means for introduciiig mixed` granules of different specific gravity -into the upper open ends of succesn sive pockets, means for segregating said pockets into upper and lower chambers, and

means for successivelyl removing the contentsions` no y of said chambers through thel lower open ends of said pockets."

14. In combination, means' forming a series of pockets'havingu per and lower ends movable in superim ose planes, means for admitting liquid an granular material into l said pockets while ,in motion, means for dividi'iig said 'pockets intofsegregated compartments eachcontaining some vo the liquid and "granular material, and means 'for successive-v ly removing the contents of said chambers 'of ,each ypocket through the lower. end thereof.

In testimon whereof, the'vsignature of the inventor is a ed hereto.

. u y r i'niiis'aii.,f 

